Buying and implementing a CRM is a big decision for any company. There are many factors to consider. It’s not just about the bells and whistles of new software. It’s realizing your current system isn’t working anymore, identifying the goals you’d like to achieve, and finding the solution that will tackle your current challenges.
When thinking about new software, it’s time to do an internal audit of what your current situation is, then take a look at the software options on the market. You can also get a feel for what consumers are saying about specific software by reading third-party reviews, such as PC Mag and Gartner.
Here are 20 questions you should always ask when buying CRM software:
Internal Questions:
- Do you need a full reboot, or can you do an upgrade?
- How is your current software failing you?
- What are your goals for the new software?
- What business processes do you want to improve?
- Who should be involved in the process?
- What resources do you want to integrate into the new system?
- What’s your budget?
- Who gets the final say about your software selection?
- Who’s the task manager for data migration?
- How will you get your C-Suite and team members onboard with this change? (Remember, software is only as good as its usage.)
Nervous about migrating your CRM? Here are 10 tips.
External Questions:
- Does the software serve your type of company? (For example, does it focus on small businesses? Enterprises?)
- Does the software specialize in your industry? (If not the software itself, does it have an integration partner that does?)
- Is the software scalable? (Can you roll out different phases and grow the system as you grow your business?)
- Is the software customizable? (Are there applications or integrations you can add to your instance that fit your need? Or just standard packaging?)
- What’s the support’s level of quality? (What’s their response time? Is it 24/7?)
- Does it have all the features you require within the tier of your budget? (Don’t get swept away with top-tier capabilities if you can’t afford them.)
- What are the software’s integration options? (Can you integrate CRM with your ERP and marketing automation systems?)
- What’s the user experience like? (Does the system have mobile access? How difficult is it to navigate it?)
If you need help answering questions about user experience, check out this article.
- How does the system protect your business data?
- Does the software allow you to meet your goals and ease your workflow? (Remember, don’t get caught up in all the bells and whistles.)
Do you have questions about CRM or CRM in general? Contact us today!
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